US4734587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optoelectric distance measuring apparatus with a time discriminator for the accurate detection of electric pulse sequence
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-01-22
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Granted: 1988-03-29
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Expires: 2006-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An optoelectric distance measuring apparatus, wherein short light pulses emitted by a laser diode and reflected by the target object are received by a photodiode, is associated with a time discriminator (12) for the processing of the electric signals, this time discriminator controlling the gate time of a clock generator, the clock pulses of which are gated through to a counter. To provide for a more exact determination of the chronological sequence of electric signals having varying amplitudes, a minimum comparator (22) is connected to the electric pulse source (17), this minimum comparator regulating the offset voltage via an offset circuit in such a way that this voltage is applied at the correct instant to the positive input of a voltage comparator (25) and that, directly thereafter, derivation of the determining point in time takes place from the differentiated signal and from the original signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolf Schwarte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:12
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K5/00; H03K5/153; H03K5/1536; G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/175; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/08; G01S17/10; G01S17/14; G04; G04F; G04F10/00; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/45; H03F3/45071; H03F3/45479
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In an optoelectric distance measuring apparatus comprising means for emitting light pulses; means for receiving said emitted light pulses; means directing a first portion of said emitted light pulses toward a target for reflection by said target and thereafter for reception by said light receiving means, and a second portion of said emitted light pulses directly into said light receiving means; a photodiode disposed downstream of said light receiving means, for converting said received light pulses to electric pulse signals; a primary comparator receiving said electric pulse signals emitted by said photodiode, said primary comparator having a positive and a negative pulse input; means for generating clock pulses, having a gate time controlled by said primary comparator; a counter to which said generated clock pulses are gated; said primary comparator being adapted to be connected to a source of offset voltage; a differentiating circuit connected between said photodiode and said negative pulse input of said primary comparator; and a delay line connected between said photodiode and said positive pulse input of said primary comparator; the improvement in which a minimum comparator is connected between said photodiode and said positive input of said primary comparator, said minimum comparator being adapted to regulate offset voltage from a said source thereof; and additional delay lines are respectively connected to said positive and negative pulse inputs of said comparator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In an optoelectric distance measuring apparatus comprising means for emitting light pulses; means for receiving said emitted light pulses; means directing a first portion of said emitted light pulses toward a target for reflection by said target and thereafter for reception by said light receiving means, and a second portion of said emitted light pulses directly into said light receiving means; a photodiode disposed downstream of said light receiving means, for converting said received light pulses to electric pulse signals; a primary comparator receiving said electric pulse signals emitted by said photodiode, said primary comparator having a positive and a negative pulse input; means for generating clock pulses, having a gate time controlled by said primary comparator; a counter to which said generated clock pulses are gated; said primary comparator being adapted to be connected to a source of offset voltage; a differentiating circuit connected between said photodiode and said negative pulse input of said primary comparator; and a delay line connected between said photodiode and said positive pulse input of said primary comparator; the improvement in which a minimum comparator is connected between said photodiode and said positive input of said primary comparator, said minimum comparator being adapted to regulate offset voltage from a said source thereof; and additional delay lines are respectively connected to said positive and negative pulse inputs of said comparator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Optoelectric distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a maximum comparator (23) is connected, at its input end, in parallel with the minimum comparator (22).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Optoelectric distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the output of the voltage comparator (25) is connected to the counter (14) via a time expansion switch (13).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a time discriminator for the exact detection of the time sequence of electric pulses having varying amplitudes, said discriminator being connectable to a source of offset voltage, said discriminator comprising positive and negative pulse inputs, a differentiating member connected to said negative pulse input of said discriminator, and a delay line connected to said positive pulse input of said discriminator, the improvement comprising a minimum comparator (22) directly connectable to an electric pulse source (17) and adapted to regulate offset voltage supplied to said discriminator by a said source thereof; and first and second delay lines (18, 21) connected respectively to said positive and negative inputs of said discriminator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a time discriminator for the exact detection of the time sequence of electric pulses having varying amplitudes, said discriminator being connectable to a source of offset voltage, said discriminator comprising positive and negative pulse inputs, a differentiating member connected to said negative pulse input of said discriminator, and a delay line connected to said positive pulse input of said discriminator, the improvement comprising a minimum comparator (22) directly connectable to an electric pulse source (17) and adapted to regulate offset voltage supplied to said discriminator by a said source thereof; and first and second delay lines (18, 21) connected respectively to said positive and negative inputs of said discriminator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-29 | 1991-09-28 | 1992-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-29 | 1995-09-28 | 1996-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-29 | 1999-09-28 | 2000-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |